Dabur India Faces Legal Battle as Customers Claim Hair Products Linked to Cancer and Health Issues

Dabur India and its subsidiaries are facing multiple lawsuits in the U.S. and Canada, with customers claiming that their hair relaxer products have caused ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and other health issues. The cases are currently in the early stages of litigation, with the allegations being based on unsubstantiated and incomplete studies. The consumer goods firm announced that approximately 5,400 cases against several companies, including its subsidiaries Namaste Laboratories, Dermoviva Skin Essentials, and Dabur International, have been consolidated as a multi-district litigation before a U.S. District Court in Illinois.

The subsidiaries have denied liability and have retained counsel to defend themselves against the claims. Dabur India, known for brands such as Vatika Shampoo and Honitus cough syrup, stated that it is unable to determine the potential financial impact of the lawsuits at this stage, but it anticipates that defense costs will exceed the materiality threshold in the near future. The company is yet to provide additional details about the cases.

Hair straighteners and relaxers are marketed to make hair smoother and more manageable, but they have been at the center of controversy due to the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which have been linked to various health problems. Similar class-action lawsuits have been filed against other beauty companies, with consumers alleging that these companies were aware of the dangerous chemicals in their products but continued to market and sell them.